Brisbane midfielder Rhys Mathieson has an edge to his game that has earned plaudits from Lions teammate Mitch Robinson.
Mathieson got in the face of Richmond’s Liam Baker and appeared to get under the skin of the reigning premiers during Friday night’s win at the Gabba.
The 24-year-old has played the last four games since coming in for Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale and looks to have cemented his spot in the side.
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“I love Rhys Mathieson,” Robinson told SEN’s Crunch Time.
“The way he plays, his attitude, he doesn’t really give a sh-t about what people think about him and he plays for his teammates.
“It’s really fantastic to be around him and his energy before the game and during the game really sets the standard for us and gets us going.
“It relieves me of a little bit pressure. I might hand the baton over to him when I retire and see how he goes.”
SEN host Andy Maher also loved Mathieson’s confrontational approach after he was seen exchanging words with Richmond star Dustin Martin.
“Good on him,” Maher told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“What are you supposed to do? Just say, ‘you’ve won three (premierships), I’ll get out of your way’ – take it up to them, good on him.
“No one is saying that Rhys Mathieson is a better player than Dustin Martin, but if he’s prepared to take Martin on and do what not many others do, good luck.
“Do you expect these opposition players just to roll over in front of you because you’ve won three of the last four? That’s not how it works.”
Mathieson, who described himself as the “barometer” of Brisbane’s side, has played 51 games since debuting for the Lions in 2016.